The Catskills - North-South Lake Loop Hike - March 22, 2021
Loop hike around North-South Lake, through the North-South Lake State Campground, including excursion to Pine Orchard/Former site of Catskill Mountain House for Hudson Valley view.
Spring was definitely in the air yesterday here in the Catskills and we couldn’t let such a glorious day go by without at least some time outside. The hike is located inside the North-South Lake State Campground, which this time of the year is closed to camping, but open for recreation. When the campground is closed, there is limited parking available at the South Lake Dam, just down the road from the gatehouse of the campground (note this fills up quickly on a busy day).
From the South Lake Dam parking area, you follow a yellow marked trail along the northern shore of the lake, following a mix of old railroad bed, campground roads, and trails through small wooded areas on the shoreline. After about a mile you come to the eastern end of the lake near the North Lake Beach area. From here, you join with the blue marked Escarpment Trail and head south on that trail to the former site of the Catskill Mountain House.
The view at the former site of the Mountain House offers a 4 state view - New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont (some say you can see mountains in NH on an exceptionally clear day). It makes for a great picnic spot, or just a place to sit back and take in the history and the view.
From the former site of the Mountain House, you travel down the old carriage road to a large parking lot and a pavilion for the campground. From here, you follow the campground road back to the South Lake Dam and your vehicle.
All told, just over 3 miles round-trip, and less than 200’ of elevation change over the length of that walk.
From the South Lake Dam parking area, you follow a yellow marked trail along the northern shore of the lake, following a mix of old railroad bed, campground roads, and trails through small wooded areas on the shoreline. After about a mile you come to the eastern end of the lake near the North Lake Beach area. From here, you join with the blue marked Escarpment Trail and head south on that trail to the former site of the Catskill Mountain House.
The view at the former site of the Mountain House offers a 4 state view - New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont (some say you can see mountains in NH on an exceptionally clear day). It makes for a great picnic spot, or just a place to sit back and take in the history and the view.
From the former site of the Mountain House, you travel down the old carriage road to a large parking lot and a pavilion for the campground. From here, you follow the campground road back to the South Lake Dam and your vehicle.
All told, just over 3 miles round-trip, and less than 200’ of elevation change over the length of that walk.
You can find this hike on:
- Map 141 of the NYNJ Trail Conference's Catskill Trails Map Set
- National Geographics Trails Illustrated Map for the Catskill Park
- Described in the Catskill Trails Guidebook
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